Gen Y

We all know that Gen Y is the most highly educated generation in the history of the U.S. It is therefore important to remember that there is so much they do not know with regards to work, regardless of their apparent general unwillingness to admit it.

Baby Boomer and Gen X’er executives  alike often find themselves frustrated when managing this generation, mainly because most of the things that never had to be said to them, HAVE to be said.  Repeatedly.  Worse, starting any words of wisdom with “When I was your age…” is bound to get you turned off (and should).  But here’s the hitch:  They still need your guidance and you need them on board and engaged.

Often times the messenger for less than comfortable information is one of your own, in this case Silicon Valley entrepreneur Jason Nazar.  Here are five things to share with your Gen Y staff:

Time is Not a Limitless Commodity – I so rarely find young professionals that have a heightened sense of urgency to get to the next level.  In our 20s we think we have all the time in the world to A) figure it out and B) get what we want.  Time is the only treasure we start off with in abundance, and can never get back.  Make the most of the opportunities you have today, because there will be a time when you have no more of it.

You’re Talented, But Talent is Overrated – Congratulations, you may be the most capable, creative, knowledgeable & multi-tasking generation yet.  As my father says, “I’ll Give You a Sh-t Medal.”  Unrefined raw materials (no matter how valuable) are simply wasted potential.  There’s no prize for talent, just results.  Even the most seemingly gifted folks methodically and painfully worked their way to success.  (Tip: read “Talent is Overrated”)

Pick Up the Phone – Stop hiding behind your computer. Business gets done on the phone and in person.  It should be your first instinct, not last, to talk to a real person and source business opportunities.  And when the Internet goes down… stop looking so befuddled and don’t ask to go home.  Don’t be a pansy, pick up the phone.

Be the First In & Last to Leave ­– I give this advice to everyone starting a new job or still in the formative stages of their professional career.  You have more ground to make up than everyone else around you, and you do have something to prove.  There’s only one sure-fire way to get ahead, and that’s to work harder than all of your peers.

Don’t Wait to Be Told What to Do – You can’t have a sense of entitlement without a sense of responsibility.  You’ll never get ahead by waiting for someone to tell you what to do.  Saying “nobody asked me to do this” is a guaranteed recipe for failure.  Err on the side of doing too much, not too little.  (Watch: Millennials in the Workplace Training Video)

You can read fifteen more tips from Jason here.